Spread out over multiple rooms in the Reynolds Center, the lab holds every piece of equipment a student would need to learn and experience to work in industrial technology. From basic motors, gears, drives, and pulleys, to Kuka and Fanuc robots, to a small-scale, fully functional automated factory, the lab holds the technology students need to learn to pursue careers in logistics, distribution, and advanced manufacturing.

Through WNC’s Applied Industrial Technology program, students learn the inner workings of an automated facility. As head of the program, Emily Howarth wants to train each student in the skills in high demand by companies such as Tesla, GE, Panasonic, Bruce Aerospace, Click Bond, Amazon. Which, by the way, are all companies that have hired graduates of Howarth’s program.

What makes the WNC Applied Industrial Technology program really special is that it offers students the opportunity to participate in the Siemens Mechatronic Systems Certification Program. Mechatronics combines mechanical, electrical, computer, and software and control engineering to design and manufacture products. WNC is the only school in the western United States offering a Siemens Mechatronics certification program.

The prestigious program accepts eight to 12 students at a time and results in graduates receiving college credit and accreditation by Siemens. It focuses on automated manufacturing practices and helps train technicians for higher-level work at a higher pay grade.

To make sure the classes meet the needs of employers in Nevada, Howarth regularly meets and works with leadership teams from the area’s large advanced manufacturing companies. She also goes to local advanced manufacturing sites and works the line to stay current on the industry’s needs and challenges.

When recruiting students for the program, Howarth emphasizes how much the manufacturing career field has changed and become a fully-automated, high tech environment that requires more than a high school diploma. Many of her students are either starting college for the first time later in life or returning after doing something else for a while.

While teaching electronics and industrial technology, Howarth, is also working on her Ph.D. and studying how to use technology and innovation to drive advances in business. She has another goal too, to help students #MakeItInNevada!

One look at the WNC Industrial Technology Lab verifies that she and the team at WNC are doing just that.

Experience the Inner workings of an automated facility during NCET’s Tech Wednesday event 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 14 at Western Nevada College’s Industrial Technology Lab. More information and registration at www.NCETwed.org

Dave Archer is president/CEO of NCET, which produces educational and networking events to help people explore business and technology.